Antibacterial activity of ferulic acid extracted from corn bran (Zea mays L) against dental decay causing Lactobacillus spp.

One of the main causes of dental caries in humans has been identified as lactobacilli. Numerous secondary metabolites, also known as phytochemicals, are produced by plants and are known to play a part in defense mechanisms.Most of these metabolites are known to have antibacterial qualities and other positive health impacts. Using 1 M sodium hydroxide, ferulic acid was extracted from corn bran. Higher amounts of ferulic acid were purified for 12 hours using a methanol solvent. The FT-IR spectrum and HPLC analysis were used to describe the purification of ferulic acid. The contents of the products extracted under the experimental circumstances varied. Dental caries was primarily caused by L. fermentum. High bactericidal effectiveness against all Lactobacillus species was demonstrated by ferulic acid. The L. fermentum showed minimal MIC levels with higher activity. This promoted the usage of corn bran's ferulic acid as an additive in the most widely used mouth paste.